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Music review: Ed Sheeran – ëƵDivideëƵ

By Clint Rhodes for The 3 min read
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If Adele is the reigning queen of the British music scene, then Ed Sheeran plays the role of prince waiting to take his throne.

Both superstars have released three incredible studio albums over the course of their careers with each album demonstrating the growth and maturity of both artists.

ëƵWelcome to the new show/I guess you know IëƵve been away,ëƵ sings Sheeran on the opening track of his third album ëƵDivide.ëƵ

ItëƵs been three years since the 26-year-old singer-songwriterëƵs last release and SheeranëƵs musical diversity takes the spotlight with 12 engaging tracks featuring delicious flavorings of hip-hop, pop, soul and Celtic folk.

Following up on the huge success of the moving ballad ëƵThinking Out LoudëƵ from ëƵX,ëƵ the latest release certainly contains its share of romantic arrangements.

ëƵDiveëƵ is a passionate slow burn that features Sheeran sounding like John Mayer (only more likable and believable) as he belts out, ëƵDonëƵt call me baby/Unless you mean it.ëƵ ëƵShape of YouëƵ carries an infectious vibe reminiscent of Vampire Weekend on a number that could easily be a Justin Timberlake or Adam Levine tune with its sexy overtones.

ëƵPerfectëƵ is tender love serenade that carries the same sincere sentiment of Eric ClaptonëƵs ëƵWonderful TonightëƵ with Sheeran confessing, ëƵNow I know I have met an angel in person/And she looks perfect/I donëƵt deserve this/You look perfect tonight.ëƵ

Hip-hop influences the driving beat of the edgy ëƵEraserëƵ and ëƵGalway GirlëƵ is a rousing number bursting with a spirited blend of Celtic folk that sounds like a pub sing-along.

ëƵCastle on the HillëƵ flashes hints of early U2 with a guitar-driven structure that plays like a stadium anthem driving SheeranëƵs soaring vocals about returning home to simpler times and the memories of growing up.

Heartache dominates ëƵHappierëƵ as Sheeran sings about the one that got away and the difficulty of moving on and finding the same happiness as his former lover.

ëƵNew ManëƵ finds Sheeran trading in his heartache and jealousy for a witty display of mockery toward his exëƵs new love interest.

ëƵSupermarket FlowersëƵ closes the album and will surely produce its share of tears as Sheeran pens a moving track in memory of his late grandmother as he softly declares, ëƵI hope that I see the world as you did ëƵcause I know/A life with love is a life thatëƵs been lived.ëƵ

With ëƵDivide,ëƵ Sheeran provides an abundance of love while displaying a life thatëƵs being lived to its fullest.

Sheeran comes to PittsburghëƵs PPG Paints Arena for a must-see performance on September 26.

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